A Conversation With Bart Rotteveel About Sosiale Moments

On 25 September 2026, I spoke with Bart Rotteveel, founder of Reaching Expatations, about Sosiale Moments and the reasons I built it.

We talked about isolation and the difficulty of meeting new people. Bart shared what he sees in Amsterdam, and we discussed how this can affect older people and people who have retired. Having time available does not necessarily mean having someone to spend it with.

We agreed that this is a problem worth addressing. Bart saw possible uses for Sosiale Moments in his work, and we talked about where it could help. I appreciated hearing his perspective on the idea.

I also told him about the post that stayed with me: a Christmas invitation for tea that became a yearly visit. And I explained why I chose the name Sosiale, connecting it to our human origins and the importance of a social life.

His advice was to write that story publicly. I took it, and you can read why I built Sosiale Moments and chose its name.

Thank you, Bart, for taking the time to speak with me and share your insights. The conversation helped me see that I should explain the belief behind the app as clearly as I explain what it does.

Sosiale Moments

Sosiale Moments lets you arrange an activity with someone nearby by choosing a time and a public place, or joining a moment someone else has created.

Download for iPhone or download for Android, where available. The app requires a monthly membership. Eligible users can receive a free trial, followed by the recurring price shown in their local store.